Experience. Every Internet Tough Guy I've met is normal/civil in person. Besides, I left out the "Be civil" part of that guideline. Calling someone a "douchebag" for writing a long-winded post wouldn't fit most people's definition of civility.
He didn't call Sebastian a douchebag for writing a long post.
He called Sebastian prolix for writing a long post.
He called Sebastian a douchebag for writing that long post.
If we're going to hellban people for writing individual uncivil posts, that's a problem. But I don't think that's what's going to happen.
You should stop calling people "Internet Tough Guys". You have literally no idea who you're talking about. Comments like yours are Part Of The Problem. Maybe you should re-evaluate the notion of starting whole threads on how much you dislike one particular person.
He didn't 'start whole threads' on how much he dislikes a particular person. He merely pointed out that calling someone a douchebag doesn't fit the guidelines for this site.
I like reading idlewords and think he's a good/interesting writer and am glad he wasn't permanently banned. But your reply here defending his words seems a little emotional and knee-jerk don't you think?
Comments like his "douchebag" comment are Part Of The Problem and that's why he was banned. Your description of his comment as merely "impolitic" is only slightly more ridiculous than you referring to him as the "friendliest" guy you know. I probably shouldn't have pointed it out, but I did.
Regardless, I don't have any vendetta against him or care strongly about him being on the site or not. I realize he's a smart guy who just has a bit of an Uncov streak in him. No big deal.
For what it's worth I was a proud recipient of a 50+ score reply that started with "Fuck you!". Maciej's "douchebag" is clearly nothing in comparison and it hardly warranted the permaban.
